Reflective and insulating cooler cover and method

ABSTRACT

A cooler cover is disclosed herein. The cooler cover includes a first layer constructed of an insulating material, a second layer constructing of an ultraviolet ray reflecting material attached to the first layer, and at least one handle-aperture passing through the first and second layers. The first and second layers may be quilted together to form a single cover configured to enclose a cooler. The cooler cover is useful for protecting a cooler and its contents from UV radiation and thermal transfer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62,446,136 filed Jan. 13, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of insulated receptacles of existing art and more specifically relates to a food preservation apparatus.

RELATED ART

Many people use food preservation devices such as coolers to preserve food when away from home. A cooler is an insulated box used to keep food and drinks cool. Often, ice cubes are placed in the cooler to help perishable items inside stay cool. Ice packs are sometimes used, as they either contain the melting water inside, or have a gel sealed inside that stays cold longer than plain ice. Coolers are typically made with interior and exterior shells of plastic, with a hard foam in between.

Unfortunately, coolers do not always provide optimal insulation, and ice inside coolers can quickly melt, leaving people with a lukewarm puddle of water surrounding their beverages and perishable foods. Not only is this messy, but it can also ruin food or cause it to spoil. The cooler may be constantly refreshed with new ice, but this may not always be possible if the cooler is located on a boat or away from town, for example. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,164 to Cathy D. Santa Cruz et al. relates to an ice chest wrap. The described ice chest wrap includes an accessory item that is used in combination with a pre-existing ice chest for providing increased insulation in a manner which reduces ice melt time, with the item being in the form of an adjustable wrap which is of a shape and size to fit various sized ice chests of user choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known food preservation devices art, the present disclosure provides a novel reflective and insulated cooler cover and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a reflective and insulating cooler cover and method.

A cooler cover is disclosed herein. The cooler cover may include a first layer, a second layer attached to the first layer, and at least one handle-accepting port formed by an aperture passing through the first and second layers. The first layer may be constructed of an insulating material, and may be shaped so that it may enclose a cooler having handles. The second layer may be quilted or otherwise attached to the first layer, and may be constructed of a reflective material which may reflect ultraviolet rays. The handle ports may be placed such that the handles of the cooler may be passed through them.

According to another embodiment, a method of covering a cooler is also disclosed herein. The cooler cover may be used by first placing the open side of the cooler cover over the cooler such that the open side is facing downward, then pulling the cooler cover over the cooler such that the first layer of the cooler cover is in contact with the cooler, and then aligning the handle ports over the cooler handles. Optionally, the cooler cover may also be removed temporarily from the cooler in order to access items within the cooler.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a reflective and insulating cooler cover and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooler cover during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooler cover of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cooler cover of FIG. 1 adapted to fit a cylindrical cooler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the cooler cover of FIG. 1 demonstrating the quilted construction of the cover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use covering a cooler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a food preservation devices and more particularly to a reflective and insulating cooler cover and method as used to improve the covering of a cooler.

Generally, the reflective and insulating cooler cover functions to slow down the ice melting process inside a cooler, even when placed directly in the sun. This alleviates the hassle of constantly dumping out water from a cooler and refilling with ice. It also prevents beverages and perishable foods from becoming lukewarm. The cooler cover may be adapted to accommodate various brands and shapes of coolers. A primary feature of the cooler cover is the inclusion of both UV-reflecting material and thermal insulating material integrated using a layered construction for maximum efficiency and convenience.

The cooler cover may include a quilted cover shaped to enclose a cooler having a layer of reflective material resistant to ultraviolet and thermal radiation on the exterior, and a layer of flannel, felt, or similarly non-conductive material on the interior. The cover may also include stitched, reinforcing seams on the corners for improved structural integrity. The sides of the cover may include apertures placed to provide access to the cooler's handles. On the front and back of the cover may be attached multiple grommet holes to attach bungee cords or other fastening devices. Such fastening devices may be useful for keeping the cover secured tightly to the cooler and may also be used to secure the cooler to the top of a car or SUV, or inside the back of a pickup truck. In some embodiments, the cover may be personalized with the addition of patches and embroidered designs for enhanced personalization. The cover may be constructed in a wide range of shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of cooler types, shapes, and sizes. The exact specifications may vary upon manufacturing.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., and other structural arrangements such as, for example, varied shapes, sizes, handle apertures, and other features necessary to accommodate different coolers, may be sufficient.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a cooler cover 100. FIG. 1 shows a cooler cover during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the cooler cover may be beneficial to cover a cooler 5. As illustrated, the cooler cover 100 may include first layer 110, second layer 120, and at least one aperture 130.

As shown, the first layer 110 may be insulated, and may be configured to shroud cooler 5. Second layer 120 is coupled to exterior of first layer 110. Second layer 120 is configured to reflect ultraviolet rays 15. At least one handle-aperture 130 passes through first layer 110 and second layer 120, and may be configured to provide access to at least one cooler handle 10.

At least one handle-aperture 130 may be configured to retain position of cooler cover 100 relative to cooler 5 through an abutment of at least one handle-aperture 130 against at least one cooler handle 10. In one embodiment, cooler cover 100 may comprise a rectangular shape configured to cover cooler 5 having a rectangular profile.

FIG. 2 shows the cooler cover of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the cooler cover 100 may include first layer 110 and second layer 120. First layer 110 and second layer 120 may comprise an opening defining cavity 112, cavity 112 being suitable for removably-containing cooler 5 (FIG. 1). Cavity 112 of cooler cover 100 may be open on base side 114 of cooler cover 100. Cooler cover 100 may further include at least one grommet 122 configured to receive at least one tie-down 132 useful for securing cooler cover 100 to cooler 5 (FIG. 1). Cooler cover 100 may be quilted, having third layer 124 comprising padding disposed between first layer 110 and second layer 120.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cooler cover of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Cooler cover 100 may comprise a cylindrically shaped cover configured to cover cooler 5 (FIG. 1) having a cylindrical profile. Cooler cover 100 may further include at least one corner stitching 126 to reinforce at least one edge of cooler cover 100. At least one handle-aperture 130 further may include at least one handle-aperture stitching 132 to reinforce at least one edge of at least one handle-aperture 130. Cooler cover 100 may further comprise deformable material 128 such that cooler cover 100 may be able to dimensionally conform to a shape of cooler 5 (FIG. 1), cooler cover 100 configured to retain a position via frictional force.

FIG. 4 is a view of the cooler cover of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Second layer 120 further may include a radiant barrier 121 configured to reduce thermal radiation through second layer 120. Radiant barrier 121 has an emissivity level lower than 0.1 at infrared wavelengths, and a reflectivity higher than 0.8, being configured to reflect radiation 50. First layer 110 may comprise flannel and alternatively felt.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for covering a cooler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for covering a cooler 500 may include one or more components or features of the cooler cover 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for covering a cooler 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, placing cavity 112 of cooler cover 100 over cooler 5 such that cavity is facing downward; step two 502, pulling cooler cover 100 over cooler 5 such that first layer 110 of cooler cover 100 is in contact with cooler 5; step three 503, aligning at least one handle-aperture 130 over at least one cooler handle 10; and step four 504, removing cooler cover 100 from cooler 5 to access at least one item within cooler 5.

It should be noted that step 504 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for covering a cooler, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A cooler cover for insulating a cooler having at least one cooler handle, the cooler cover comprising: a first layer including an insulating material configured to shroud the cooler; a second layer coupled to the exterior of the first layer, the second layer including a reflective material configured to reflect ultraviolet rays; at least one handle-aperture through the first layer and the second layer, the at least one handle-aperture configured to provide access to the at least one cooler handle.
 2. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer comprises an opening defining a cavity, the cavity suitable for removably-containing the cooler.
 3. The cooler cover of claim 2, wherein the opening of the cavity of the cooler cover is disposed on a base side of the cooler cover, the cooler cover configured to slide over the cooler from above.
 4. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the cooler cover further includes grommets configured to receive tie-downs useful for securing the cooler cover to the cooler.
 5. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the cooler cover is quilted.
 6. The cooler cover of claim 5, wherein the cooler cover further includes a third layer comprising padding disposed between the first layer and the second layer.
 7. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the cooler cover further includes at least one corner stitching to reinforce at least one edge of the cooler cover.
 8. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one handle-aperture further includes at least one handle-aperture stitching to reinforce at least one edge of the at least one handle-aperture.
 9. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the cooler cover comprises deformable material such that the cooler cover is able to dimensionally conform to a shape of the cooler, the cooler cover configured to retain a position about the cooler via frictional force against the cooler.
 10. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one handle-aperture is configured to retain the position of the cooler cover relative to the cooler through an abutment of the at least one handle-aperture against the at least one cooler handle.
 11. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the second layer further includes a radiant barrier configured to reduce thermal radiation through the second layer.
 12. The cooler cover of claim 11, wherein the radiant barrier has an emissivity level lower than 0.1 at infrared wavelengths
 13. The cooler cover of claim 11, wherein the radiant barrier has a reflectivity higher than 0.8.
 14. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the first layer is flannel and alternatively felt.
 15. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the cooler cover comprises a rectangular shaped cover configured to cover the cooler having a rectangular profile.
 16. The cooler cover of claim 1, wherein the cooler cover comprises a cylindrically shaped cover configured to cover the cooler having a cylindrical profile.
 17. A reflective and insulating cooler cover, the cooler cover comprising: a first layer including an insulating material configured to shroud a cooler; a second layer coupled to the exterior of the first layer, the second layer including a reflective material configured to reflect ultraviolet rays; at least one handle-aperture through the first layer and the second layer, the at least one handle-aperture configured to provide access to at least one cooler handle; wherein the first layer and the second layer comprises an opening defining a cavity, the cavity suitable for removably-containing the cooler; wherein the opening of the cavity of the cooler cover is disposed on a base side of the cooler cover, the cooler cover configured to slide over the cooler from above; wherein the cooler cover further includes grommets configured to receive tie-downs useful for securing the cooler cover to the cooler; wherein the cooler cover is quilted; wherein the cooler cover further includes a third layer comprising padding disposed between the first layer and the second layer; wherein the cooler cover further includes at least one corner stitching to reinforce at least one edge of the cooler cover; wherein the at least one handle-aperture further includes at least one handle-aperture stitching to reinforce at least one edge of the at least one handle-aperture; wherein the cooler cover comprises deformable material such that the cooler cover is able to dimensionally conform to a shape of the cooler, the cooler cover configured to retain a position about the cooler via frictional force against the cooler; wherein the at least one handle-aperture is configured to retain the position of the cooler cover relative to the cooler through an abutment of the at least one handle-aperture against the at least one cooler handle; wherein the second layer further includes a radiant barrier configured to reduce thermal radiation through the second layer; wherein the radiant barrier has an emissivity level lower than 0.1 at infrared wavelengths; wherein the radiant barrier has a reflectivity higher than 0.8; wherein the first layer is flannel and alternatively felt; wherein the cooler cover comprises a rectangular shaped cover configured to cover the cooler having a rectangular profile; and wherein the cooler cover comprises a cylindrically shaped cover configured to cover the cooler having a cylindrical profile.
 18. The cooler cover of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the cooler cover is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of covering a cooler, the method comprising the steps of: placing an opening of a cavity of the cooler cover over the cooler such that the opening is facing downward; pulling the cooler cover over the cooler such that a first layer of the cooler cover is in contact with the cooler; and aligning the at least one handle-aperture over the at least one cooler handle.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of removing the cooler cover from the cooler to access at least one item within the cooler. 